CONVICTED FRAUDSTER AND ACCOMPLICE ARRESTED FOR GOVERNMENT ORDER SCAM
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The Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court heard yesterday how an alleged ring leader on government order scam reportedly convinced a 53-year-old Lillian Raesibe Masilela to open a bank account for him and keep the bank card.
It is alleged that in May 2020, the complainant was lured to believe that he was successfully awarded a tender to supply the Department of Water and Sanitation in Pretoria with 55 Zallex 12 water pumps. The complainant was re-directed to a Cape Town based company, Abitex Top Traders to supply him with the requested goods by the department worth approximately R118 372.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu says to the complainant’s realisation that goods were not being delivered, he immediately reported the matter to Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Pretoria for further probing. A successful investigation was conducted by authorities which resulted in a warrant of arrest being issued against Masilela’s co-accused and alleged kingpin, Richard Jjuuko (48).
He says they were arrested and charged with fraud and money laundering on 09 March 2022 and 24 March 2022 in Mokopane during his conviction where he was sentenced on another fraud related matter.
Jjuuko and Masilela are remanded in custody pending investigation and is expected back in court on 11 April 2022.
